Education & Training in Aberdeen, The Highlands & North Scotland

Universities in the North of Scotland:

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen University is an internationally renowned, research-led institution, with a population of over 13,000 students, drawn from 120 different countries. It has an excellent reputation for teaching quality and research has proved a popular choice with students from home and abroad.

The University has particularly strong links with North America and Asia and it continues to invest in these areas. It recently launched a £9million investment programme to ensure that the Institution maintains its position as one of Britain’s leading research-led universities and that Aberdeen remains one of the strongest research communities in the UK.

In the last two years, over 50 senior academic leaders have been recruited from institutions across the world, helping to strengthen significantly the intellectual capital and academic competitiveness of the institution.

http://www.aberdeen.ac.uk

Introducing UHI Millennium Institute

UHI Millennium Institute (UHI) is the only higher education institution based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. UHI provides access to university-level education through a distinctive educational partnership of colleges and research institutions (the UHI academic partners). Some are relatively large colleges in the urban centres of the region such as Perth, Elgin and Inverness. Others are smaller institutions, including some whose primary focus is on research.

UHI students, lecturers, academic partners and learning centres are part of an advanced high-speed electronic network. We have invested £75 million in technology and facilities to provide access to university-level education throughout the region. But UHI is in no way a ‘virtual’ institution. Our academic partners and learning centres are real buildings, staffed by real people and located in real places.

Our students normally study at a college or learning centre. Many take classes at large and busy campuses, while others access their course through one of the network’s smaller campuses or learning centres located throughout the region. Some UHI students use web-based learning materials and may come together individually or in small groups for video-conference tutorials and seminars, as well as having access to locally based study resources and support. This gives our students the opportunity to have a high standard of education and to choose their learning and living environment either in an urban town, a small village or a rural community.

UHI Millennium Institute was designated as a higher education institution in April 2001, enabling us to further develop our university-level programmes. Our degree courses are validated by the Open University Validation Services (OUVS) and quality assured by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Higher national awards are made under the auspices of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

For families, finding a suitable school is often the single most important aspect of their relocation. It is reassuring to know that the vast majority of schools in the Highlands have exceptionally good academic standards. However, every child is an individual with individual needs and talents, so matching children with a suitable school is crucial.

Learning opportunities in the Highlands are varied and accessible across the diverse geography of the region.

There are learning communities associated around the 29 secondary schools, their associated primary schools and nursery centres.

Informal learning is supported through Community Learning and Leisure and can be accessed across a network of learning centres.

The authority works in collaboration with other education providers including three colleges of further and higher education within the University of the Highlands and Islands.

http://www.uhi.ac.uk

Robert Gordon University

http://www.rgu.ac.uk/

Colleges in the North of Scotland:

Moray College

Moray College is a rural college situated in Elgin and serves the needs of the Moray area. It
operates from two main campuses at Moray Street, Elgin and the Linkwood Campus in New Elgin
where the College’s Technology centre is located. The college provides community-based learning
from its four learning centres in Buckie, Keith, Forres and Nairn.

It also provides outreach provision in various other community locations such as Aberlour, Dufftown, Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie, Lhanbryde and Lossiemouth. Most learners are drawn from Elgin, the nearby towns and surrounding rural areas.

Although most courses normally start in September each year, Moray College is able to offer a
number of Higher and Further Education opportunities to the community of Moray on a part-time
basis commencing in January 2007.

If you would like to study at Moray College but haven’t yet “signed-up” then why not contact the
College Registry on 01343 576216 or complete a booking form which can be downloaded from the
Moray College website at http://www.moray.ac.uk/pdf/Booking_form.pdf

WHAT CAN YOU STUDY?

Higher Education Opportunities: As an academic partner of the UHI Millennium Institute, Moray College is able to provide the community of Moray and beyond with a wide range of Higher Education (HE) opportunities, which can be accessed locally thereby enabling many people to participate in higher education who would otherwise be unable to do so.

HE opportunities commencing shortly include:

• A range of discrete degree modules from the BSc Natural Science and the BSc Environment &
Heritage – available on a part-time and infill basis

• BA Business and Management Year 3 – providing an opportunity for holders of existing acceptable
HND awards to complete this degree on a part-time basis

• Diploma in Management and the Executive Diploma in Management – available on a distance
learning basis with tutorial support

• Registered Managers Award (Level 4) – available on a flexible basis

• Professional Development Award (PDA) Certificate in Care Services Management – available on an
on-line basis

• A range of discrete SQA HN Units – Sage Accounts, Early Education and Childcare, Computing and
Information Technology, Computerised 3D Modelling, History, Electronics and Engineering, Sports
Massage, Sport, Fitness, Health and Exercise, Quality Assurance, Robotics Systems – available on
a part-time and infill basis

• Advanced ECDL modules – Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentations – available on a flexible learning basis

• Cisco Certified Network Academy courses – available on an evening basis

Further Education Opportunities:

Further Education (FE) courses are intended to provide a sound basis of knowledge, skills and values, which allow students to get jobs or progress to Higher Education. They have a strong work-based focus through content, work placement and realistic work environments. These courses lead to National Qualifications (NQs) at Access, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and Higher Levels, or to Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

FE opportunities commencing shortly include:

• SQA NQ units in Sage Payroll and Photography – available on an evening basis

• SQA NQ units in Computer Aided Draughting, Computing in Engineering, Mechatronics Applications,
Engineering Manufacturing Processes – available on a part-time and infill basis

• Word Processing/Audio courses (OCR/SQA) – available on a part-time and evening basis

• SVQ Level 2/3 courses – Health and Social Welfare; Children’s Care, Learning and Development -
available on a flexible basis

• Men into Care – a free course for men who might be considering work in the Care Sector – available on a 6 week part-time day basis or a 20 week evening class basis

• Introduction to Counselling – available on an evening basis

• ECDL – available on a flexible learning basis

• College Certificate courses in Computing and Information Technology – available at Moray College,
Elgin and at our Learning Centres at Buckie, Forres, Keith and Nairn

• Hairdressing Updating Skills Programme – available on an evening basis

• REHIS short courses – Food Hygiene (Elementary & Intermediate), Food and Health (Elementary)

• First Aid short courses (HSE approved) – Basic First Aid Certificate; First Aid Refresher; Emergency
First Aid

To find out more about these learning opportunities and to download a booking form visit the
Moray College website at http://www.moray.ac.uk